The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-30
Traffic Proceeds as Usual and the Walk
ing Delegates Fail in Their Mission.
Convention of Delegates Representing En-
ployes Meets at Reading and Spends the
Night in Talk, No Action Resulting.
THE READING STRIKE.
The Attitude Of the Company Clearly and
Emphaticaily Defiued.

THE READING STRIKE.
The Attitude OF the Company Clearly and
Emphaticaily Defined.
NEW YORK, Dec. 29.-Austin Corbin, presi-
dent of the Reading railroad, plainly defined the
position OF the company towards its employees in
letter sent at noon to-day. to A. A. Mcleod,
general manager, with instructions to conmuni-
cate its contents TO the men. It reads as fol-
lows:
ITO such of our old employees who have stood
faithfully by u.s. we feel obliged and thankful
and shall not forget them; but ths time has now
arrived when ali of our employees will be re-
quired to indicate whether they expect TO retain
their places By reason of honest and faithful
service and prompt obedience to the orders of
the company that employs and pays them, or
to yield blind obedience to the direction of the
knights of Labor, through which organization
the leaders hope to coerce into the employ
ment of men who consider their first obedience
due to that order. The meu that stand by us
will have employment. with reasonable hours
and good pay. as much as Is paid by any other
corporation of a similar character. Men who do
not will never bs allowed on the road again under
any circumstances. We have never objected 10
labor organizations, ard do not now. Every
man shall be free to belong to one, or not as he
pleases, but the heads of such orders cannot and
shall not dictate to this company as to whom 1t
shall employ how operate its property.
Places that are left in obedience to the knights
of Labor will be filled with new men, and such
men will be retained and under circum-
stances will be discharged to make room for
men who have left their places. Hereafter we
will operate this property with employees who
consider their first duty is to the company, and
expect to obey reasonable orders made in the
transaction OF it's business. There has never
been a moment when, under any circumstances,
would arbitrate any question growing out of
this strike. There has been nothing to arbi-
trate. 1t is only question as to whether the
company will be permitted to operate its own
property-a property in which there is invested
over 5000 600 600. or whether that property shall
be controlled by the Knights OF Labor. 1t may
as well be understood now, and from this time
on, that every wheel which is turned on the
Reading system shall be turned on the orders of
that ompany and under the orders Of nobody
else"
The officers of the Reading railroad and a COM
mittee from the executive committee of striking
emf ployes who belong to the Knights of Labor
came together again this morning, and parted
after short but stormy session. Chairman
John L. Lee and Henry Bennett member of
the executive committee of the Knights, called
at the Fourth-street Office of the company before
10 o'clock this morning. Scattered about the
hall and down stairs at the entrance were other
members OF the same committee but mono save
the two mentioned made any effort to see Su-
periutendent Sweigard. AS as they ar
rived MIR. Lee sent in a slip bearing his name
and that of Bennett. The only response he re-
ceived was word from the messenger that the
He waited patiently, and in the meantime in
formed reporter that the committee had called
in response to the request of the superintendent.
Understand" he said. 1--WE did not seek this in
terview, though the companys officers will
doubtless tell you that did. just they said
they never agreed to arbitration, when in fact
they did"
An hour passed. and Lee and Bennett became
restless, and again the messenger dis
patched to the superntendents office with slip
of paper bearing the names of the two Knights
of Labor. Again came the answer to wait out
side. Half an hour later the superintendent
left the general managers office, and crossing to
where Lee was, said:
II will see you now. Lee"
The chairman was on his feet in minute, his
hat in his hand.
But Mr.. Bennett is with me-" he said.
Il can't help that" replied the superintendent.
sMy business is with you, and l am ready to
talk to no else"
Bennett is a member OF the executive COM
mittee." said Lee, ''and if you see me you must
see him also"
But will not" was the brusque response OF
the superintendent. Then Lee and Bennett
drew aside and held a short consultation. It
lasted but moment and when it was over Lee
turned to the superintendent and said:
I'VE have agreed sir. that as long as you sent
for US we will not allow this conference TO taxa
the nature OF personal interview. Mr.. Ben
nett must be present. not only a member of
the com mmittee, but as witness"
II have said." replied Mr. Sweigard. 'that / !
to that. come into my Office" and then he
tered his room and closed the door. Again did
Lee and Bennett consult, and it was decided to |
make one more attempt to get the superintend- |
ent to recognize both men.
Just to see" explained the chairman, "wheth-
er or not the companys plan Is to ignore the |
Knights of Labor entirely"
Thereupon he entered the Office and paused on
the threshold leaving the door partly open.
"Do you refuse" said he to the superintend
ent. ito recognize this committee because il is
.efuse2'
II will recognize committee" was the
ply. plainly heard by those outside Il will talk
with you, If you wish. but I will recognize
from any organization"
Then" was Lees answer, IF you will not
recognize the committee | represent you cannot
recognize Good day sir"
With that he left the Office, and, joining Ben
lett, left the building.
oany's employ.
Uniformed policemen guard every entrance to
5he Port Richmond coal wharves. There has
been no trouble of any kind. Each of til seven
wharf engines work the coal wharves
lay was in charge of Pinkerton police, who rode
IN them about the Port Richmond yards to pro-
ect the crews. No attempt was made to molest
hem. Agent Keim said the seven crews who
struck yesterday came to his Office this morning
md asked to be reinstated. but he informed
hem that they were discharged and could not
again enter the compaDys employ. The steve
lores at the freight wharves, who went out yes
erday afternoon, did not return to work this
morning. Agent heiul ulSpatCncu d INTO
he city. where large force of stevedores were
ecured and taken TO the freight wharves and
ct to work. There was nothing to day at
ither the Ninth the Broad street stations
hat would indicate the existence OF a strike.
All the trains, both passenger and freight,
moved as usual.
The Convention of Employees.
pecial to the IpdiauapoIs JournaI.
READING, Dec. 29.-The leading topic here
o-nieht is the probable outcome of to-night's
onvention of the Philadelphia & Reading rail
DAD employees and miners. Over 400 delegates
rrived during the day. representing every